Anecdote
BAD LUCK PRIEST JOKE
During the Middle Ages, in some areas of Europe, it was considered bad luck to meet a priest first thing in the morning. A popular joke had a woman making the sign of the cross when she encountered a priest Read more…
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Sheridan’s Ride
The Battle of Cedar Creek occurred on Oct. 19, 1864 in the war-ravaged Shenandoah Valley. Confederate Gen. Jubal Early initiated the action with an attack on a Union camp. The Yankees were taken completely by surprise and beat a hasty Read more…
Anecdote
CRASSUS’ FIRE DEPARTMENT
Marcus Crassus became the richest man in Rome partly through real estate. He created the first fire department in Rome. Sometimes he paid arsonists to set fire to a house and then he would wait around the corner with his Read more…
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The Louisiana Tigers
One of the most famous units in Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia was the Louisiana Tigers. They had a reputation of being terrors on the battlefield … and in camp. The nickname originated with a volunteer company raised by Maj. Read more…
Anecdote
JOSEPHINE’S DOG
On their wedding night, Napoleon and Josephine retired to her bedroom only to find Josephine’s dog in his usual place in the middle of the bed. When Napoleon approached the bed, the dog growled and Josephine explained that the dog Read more…
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Civil War Snow Balling
There were at least four major snow ball fights (“snow balling”) between Confederate units in the Civil War. The biggest occurred on Jan. 29, 1863 after two feet of snow blanketed the Rappahannock Valley in Virginia. It started when the Read more…
Anecdote
PENNILESS IN A BROTHEL
King George II of England liked to go out at night in disguise to sample the ladies of the realm. One night, in disguise, he visited a house of prostitution. During his visit his pocket was picked and when it Read more…
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Daniel “Sheltowee” Boone
The picture is of a famous incident in Daniel Boone’s life. His daughter Jemima and two other teenage girls had been captured by a Shawnee war party. Boone and others tracked the Indians for two days and ambushed them, rescuing Read more…
Anecdote
AGRIPPINA – DEVOTED MOTHER
Agrippina was the wife of Emperor Claudius. She had a son named Nero from her first marriage. She was determined that her son would be the next emperor. When Claudius began to have second thoughts of his step-son succeeding him, Read more…
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Paroling
The parole system originated in Europe and was used in America for the first and only time in the Civil War. It basically involved the exchange of prisoners. Until an exchange could be arranged, the prisoner was paroled meaning they Read more…